Taliban Commander Calls It A Crime

Afghanistan Kitten: The late British Surgeon, Dr. Karen Woo

Taliban Commander Decries Massacre of Ten Medical Workers A Crime

Make of it what you will.

Looks like BabaTim was spot on when he called it the work of wealthy Arabs who come to wage Jihad as a tourist sport. Hence, the phrase "Jihadi tourists." However, this still doesn't exempt the Taliban from the brutal and calculated slaughter.
See more details here.
I'll end this post with the same life loving humor as the Afghanistan Kitten, here's a bit for you from one of the last sites she visited shortly before she left on her mission. Icanhascheezburger:

Cat? Meet Dog. No?

Coffeypot shared this video from You Tube by Steve Cash. Very clever!

This blog is pink

to raise awareness of breast cancer.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Over the years, my husband, friends and I have known too many women who have had to slay this insidious disease. So I'm joining with Lee Denim Day to help find a cure, and also support women with breast cancer. A few years ago, my office raised over $1,000. I see there's an ARMY MOMS RUS team. I might join it (have no idea who they are). You're welcome to join it too.





RESTREPO: What A Parent Doesn't Know

Magazines, a calendar, ramen, mac-n-cheese, dried fruit, trail mix, chocolate, nuts, and a yo-yo.

Tonight, I'm packing a care package for a friend's son who is deployed to a combat zone. The friend is a journalist, the son a Marine. It's not the first time the son has been deployed, but his family worries endlessly. Whenever I meet another parent, I give them attention and respect, along with my card. I want them to contact me on nights they can't sleep. I look forward to seeing their photos when their sons our daughters come home. If they live close enough, I want them at my house for dinner. And should something happen, all of us should be there for one another as well.

Still, there's a lot us families don't know. The reasons are many. From them not wanting to upset us, to not being able to speak about some of the emotionally ratcheting things they have seen. But the journalist, who has embedded many times, knows the specifics and dangers the son faces. While each of us tries to find out as much as we can, my journalist friend knows so much more than most. While seemingly a good thing, it is a double-edged sword. The deadliness of the battle is all to real to this parent.

Here's Sterling Jones and Aaron Hijar of the film Restrepo talking about what they faced in the Korengal Valley. "No Man's Land"

Screw History: Getting Rid Of The Mental Health Stigma (useful links included).

Please pass this post to others.

I want to talk about the stigma of mental health. Incidentally, I write this from experience as the parent of an adult son, who faced significant developmental delays and lost all his mental health benefits when he reached adulthood. If a kid (who has two health care savvy parents) can lose all his benefits, just think of the daunting odds a veteran faces. Especially when his family may not know the extent to which he or she is suffering. Historically, the stigma about mental illness has been so pervasive, many consider it a sign of "softness" to go to a therapist. Talking about one's fears is seen as a sign of weakness, not bravery.

We have to get rid of the stigma because it's killing us as a society. The stigma drives people to self-ridicule, separation, doubt, and causes both victims and family members to slip into a trough of depression. From there, the damage begins.

Despite the good intentions of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and social workers, a client can face having benefits cut in the face of state or federal budget constraints. Many have difficulty accessing the system at all. The sheer number of patients is staggering and the caseloads are bursting. This in no way excuses either the VA or the military health network from improving its policies or efforts, but it's a forgone conclusion--no one system can handle it all.

Let's talk about the role of health care insurance as well. Insurers have to make mental health services as normal as going to the doctor for an ache or pain. If someone needs to go every week, let them go without fear of using up their benefits. A patient shouldn't have to go through a series of "medication hits and misses" with a family practitioner before receiving a referral to a therapist or psychiatrist. Frankly, the idea of a family practitioner blithely prescribing serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, stimulants, or anti-depressants is scary and frustrating. However, given the shortage nationwide of psychiatrists,* it's often the only route. Without little forethought, health insurers put up roadblocks to seeking long term solutions. In essence, these obstacles shore up the stigma about mental health.

Hence, a net of mental health services encompassing public, private and non-profit entities has to be woven and seen as vital to those who serve. Organizations like NAMI, The Soldier's Project, Vets 4 Vets, and many others offer invaluable services in communities across the US.

We also need to look at therapeutic companions to mental health. A lot is being done to incorporate stress reduction programs like yoga, meditation, outdoor recreation, writing, art and music that center on the rewiring of one's lifestyle. Team River Runner, Yoga For Vets, US Veterans Artists Alliance and therapeutic writing programs from Veterans Voices are some of the many who offer physical, intellectual, and creative outlets for those who have served. The American Legion and VFW offer social outlets. Who cares about the age differences? They're veterans. Give them a try.

Just remember, like the public health systems, these small organizations can't do it alone. They need your support through cold hard ca$h. In your yearly giving, please consider earmarking an amount to veterans mental health services. The net has to be woven securely so the Brandon S. Barretts in this world aren't wandering alone, far from comfort and safety.

*There has been a shortage of psychiatrists for decades, prior to these wars. In addition, less people are pursuing careers as physicians for a number of reasons. More physicians are retiring with no younger counterparts to replace them. If you or a son or daughter is tenacious, smart, resourceful, cares about people, funny, has a good bullshit meter, is engaging --consider a career as a physician.

RESTREPO: Emotionally Embedded

I wasn't familiar with the term until I sat down and spoke with filmmaker Tim Hetherington and asked him about his relationship with Battle Company. Tim and Sebastian Junger completed ten embeds over the course of a year in the Korengal Valley under the most extreme of circumstances. Their goal, he explained, was to become emotionally embedded, to let the soldiers tell of their lives and experience in combat. "We kept coming back," he said. Eventually, the two were accepted. Today, the filmmakers and the platoon enjoy a close relationship. More after the video.



I'll share a little story. When I first told some of my friends about Restrepo, most thought the same thing I did. "Well here's a good film that about twenty people will see." Even when documentaries are available online, television or in theaters, they're rarely seen by the masses. But something clicked with every person who saw the trailer. Perhaps it was something in the eyes of the soldiers talking about sleeplessness, or about combat. Many felt compelled to see the movie after watching only the trailer. They too became emotionally embedded.

Just a partial list...

Sure, we did a lot of PR work. The type of stuff on a shoe string budget, which involved calling, emailing, generally making a pest of myself. My boss and I spoke to big organizations and small ones. To conservatives, liberals and all stripes in-between. To journalists, bloggers, and authors of note. Conversations with Admirals, Generals, and more PAO than I can begin to count. Personally, I contacted over 152 organizations, was averaging 300+ emails a day, and it seemed like everyone had my phone number. But I didn't mind. After all, I was emotionally embedded as well.

By now, getting Restrepo to be seen by more people has become a personal crusade for many. Hence, legions of fans from the Facebook page (almost 25,000) have made it their personal project to place Restrepo into towns large and small. This week alone, from Calgary AB to Pensacola FL; from Juneau AK to Norfolk VA; and in small towns like Overland Park KS, Duluth MN, Restrepo is playing in theaters. Click here to find a theater, more are opening on September 3, 10, 17, 25 and yes.... through the end of October.

And now? I want to thank everyone for loving this film as much as we do. Thank you for caring and thank you for working so hard.

Pertussis Outbreak in California: Get Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

"Get your germs outta here."

I'm pretty sure I had Whooping Cough from November to the end of January this year. I was extremely sick, had a cough that would not go away, would not respond to run of the mill antibiotics, and the cough was so racking I didn't circulate much for three months. I swore at the goon who hadn't vaccinated their kids, and let them come to school --where my daughter picked it up. She missed so much school, we got threats from the district.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) has made a comeback in California this year. Simply put, it was controlled and wiped out because it killed many children. In the 1900's, it was the leading cause of infant and child mortality.

Adults should probably receive boosters if they haven't been vaccinated. Also, if you or your kids are planning a trip to California, it would be wise to make sure you've got everyone vaccinated as well.

Get full info on the Tdap vaccine here: Get The Facts
This is from the above:

Why should adults and adolescents get a Tdap vaccine?

If you received a whooping cough vaccine as a child, that doesn’t mean you have lifetime immunity. Since childhood vaccines that protect against whooping cough can fade over time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of Tdap vaccine for people ages 11 to 64.

If I received a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine, am I protected against whooping cough?

No, Td immunization only protects against tetanus and diphtheria. The only vaccine that can help protect adults and adolescents against whooping cough is Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis).

Here's an excerpt from the Camp Pendelton Naval Hospital and Clinics

July 28, 2010

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine Available at NHCP and Branch Health Clinics

By NHCP Public Affairs

The California Department of Public Health recently declared an epidemic of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. As of June 30, 2010 there has been 1,337 confirmed cases since January 2010. This is a five-fold increase from the number of reported cases during the same time period last year. The CDPH warned that the state is on pace to suffer the most illnesses and deaths due to pertussis in 50 years.

Pertussis is especially dangerous to infants, although anyone can become ill.

The NHCP medical staff encourages all children enrolled to the hospital and its clinics to get vaccinated. In addition, parents, family members and caregivers of infants need to be vaccinated or get a booster shot.

Pregnant women may be vaccinated against pertussis before pregnancy, during pregnancy or after giving birth. Fathers and siblings may be vaccinated at any time, preferably before the birth of a new baby.

All TRICARE beneficiaries should contact their network Primary Care Provider or a local public health center for information about how to get vaccinations.

Medical Aid Workers Funeral Updates, OPSEC for civilian families and friends

Last week, I ran a post to inform readers where to donate in memory of the ten massacred medical aid workers in Afghanistan. Please look on the comment sections for funeral info and where to donate. The International Assistance Mission would like donations for the families of the two murdered Afghans who were part of this international medical team. In addition, friends of the late Dr. Karen Woo have set up a foundation in her memory, however so far it's just a website. Please check through the comments of my post to read incredible statements from the families.

Friend Tim Lynch was on the Alonya Show speaking about this. He points out that the tendency to jump to conclusions of prosetelyzing was wrong, and also shortchanges the years of experience and knowledge that the two senior leaders --Dr. Tom Little and Dan Terry had in the region. They knew better than to ever do or allow such a thing. They were pros who loved the Afghan people, worked there for close to 40 years, were known by thousands. Tim also takes a guess at who did this:


There has long been talk that the planning of the massacre was helped by information gained via social networking. Shortly after it happened, I read a very detailed post. I'm not posting the URL here, because the last thing they need now are angry comments. There appeared to be editorial naivete on the part of the blog editors and the person who wrote the following is now dead. I'm only using this as an example of what not to do. I wish to high heavens this person were alive, but what we can do now is use it as a reminder:

"Starting from the province of Badakhshan in the North of Afghanistan we will load up packhorses and begin the walk up the Munjan valley, travelling through another valley takes us to a pass that leads into the Parun Valley. We will begin at about 7,000ft, ascend to almost 16,000ft before dropping down to around 9,500 ft for our final destination. The total walking distance will be 120 miles round trip."

Doesn't take much to figure out where they were going. In addition, the NY Post has postulated the killers received a lot of information from other blogs and Facebook. I can't confirm this as I wasn't Facebook Friends with any of the victims. However, if it is true, it's a reminder of OPSEC for both military and civilians working there, as well as their families.

Facebook automatically sets your photo privacy to "Everyone." You can choose Customize, which allows you to pick who has access.

Facebook is a viral beast. As of late, I've been doing weekly snippings of "Friends." If I don't know a person directly, or have many mutual friends, if the Friend is mostly mute, if he or she spams the feed with games, chances are -they will be snipped. I would recommend everyone turn their family photos to "Friends Only or Customize." Facebook does this sneaky thing. They use your photos to test "friends" who are logging in from other places. Sometimes they even run them on the sidebar. They pull up random photos in your folders, so best to make those all private or just get them off all together.

"Right Wing Extremists" Party. Visit Code Pink. Wonder --Is Jerry Brown The New Pink?

A pack of radical right wing extremists

I wore pink because it's always been my fucking color. The fact that this crew of rich harridans hijacking my color for their own political means has always grated on my fashion sense. To them, I'm just a "right wing extremist," the wife of a "war criminal," or a "zombie soldier supporter." And so it was that I spent an interesting afternoon outside the gates of the Jerry Brown gubernatorial fundraiser sponsored by wealthy Code Pink co-founder Jodie Evans. As expected, most of the elderly people coming to the fundraiser weren't aware of the event affiliation with Code Pink. However, hanging on Jody Evans' fence was a big pink anti-war sign --giving it the appearance of it being a Code Pink event. According to the neighbors, she had hung it up special that morning.

The bottom of this sign reads: "Code Pink." If that weren't enough, the lemonade served was pink too.

While many of Brown's elderly supporters weren't aware of Code Pink, Jerry Brown's staff had to have been clued-in to their anti-military, anti-war tactics. This includes trying to kick the Marines out of Berkeley, telling Gold Star Mom Debbie Lee that her son deserved to die, and branding Marines war criminals. After all, their work in Berkeley happened in his backyard (he lives in Oakland). Evans is a long time friend and former staffer of Brown. This appeared to be a "You scratched my back, I'll scratch yours" event. None of his staffers went out of their way to remove the Code Pink signs, which makes me wonder if his campaign's ideals are in step with theirs. It's a discomforting thought. As Governor, Brown would be in charge of the California National Guard.

Code Pink is an annoying as hell organization --or rather, a triad of organizations, founded by Medea Benjamin. To Code Pink, there are no heroes. There are only apologies to be made and troops to cast as victims, pawns, and accuse most as guilty of war crimes. Their maxim of "Bring our troops home," and "Books not Bombs," are sentiments many have to an extent, however, they are dangerous ones to base military strategy on, ineffective for getting rid of bad guys with, and casts all wars as unnecessary inconveniences. It takes much, much more to bring stability to a region, let alone peace, literacy, healthcare. Without military interventions the Serbs would have continued their assault on Kosovo; Liberia's war would have claimed more than the 200,000 it did, and the fragile DRC would fall back into deadly chaos. Truth be told, the Taliban would have continued with their opression of women, and the stadium killings. But maybe Code Pink is too busy running to Gaza playing faux-diplomat with Hamas, lining up outside Walter Reed to protest as wounded warriors try to regain their lives, stalking Xe founder Eric Prince's wife in North Carolina, or targeting children at Halloween who were waiting to visit the Obamas --to notice the havoc of their approach.

Mary Matalin, branded a "war criminal" by Code Pink, sold as a deck of cards on their site.

What Code Pink does is cut off any discussion about war by leaning on sentiment and tugging on emotions.
This leads to more confusion about war and politics not only here, but worldwide. What we risk by letting groups like Code Pink rule by sentiment and moralizing thuggery is becoming more isolated from world events as they happen. The polemics widen and lessen the likelihood to talk about war, strategy, about threats not only to our way of life, but to the human condition worldwide. Right now, they're yelling bring the troops home, shore up our own borders, but in no time there would be Code Pink protests along the same border points where the National Guard is posted. Given their mindset and history, accusations would soon fly about "war criminals" protecting our borders.

Right wing extremism on skates: Andrew Breitbart
On Saturday, Code Pink was given a taste of their own stew. They were incredulous that anyone would pester them. Danny and Melanie laid down on the sidewalk, mimicking Code Pink's own tactics. A guy in a battered black Toyota truck slowed down and said of our calling out to support the troops, "I think if you sign up and go over there, you're a sucker." Not surprising for the westside, we took it in stride, as he was tanked on Rock Star and running low on karma. We made a few people uncomfortable, Brown avoided us, Andrew Breitbart entertained all on his skates asking attendees to "Smile for the camera and say Hamas!"

More right wing extremists: a few Democrats in the mix, dismayed that Brown is the new pink.

Melanie and Danny of Move America Forward tried to get arrested, to no avail. We were accused by a past chairman of the California Democratic Party of being a Meg Whitman plant --the same Meg Whitman described by me as having all the desirability of a cold brussel sprout. The very same Meg Whitman's whose campaign refused to get involved with the protest when contacted by Move America Foward, and is now spinning this as their own. One elderly woman came out and said, "You have the right to say what you want, even when you are wrong!" The reply was simple: "And you do too!"

Former candidate for California State Senator Mickey Kaus heard us yelling --he lives across the street. While he spent time with us he didn't join the protest. However, it's always good to have a rational Democrat around when you need one. Roller skates, flags, cops, valets, character actors, and old time liberals --this was a classic Venice Beach event.

Saturday in Venice: Jerry Brown To Kick Troops In The Face

Jerry Brown, formerly known as Governor Moonbeam, to swap name for Governor Pinkbeam. Will take money from the nefarious group Code Pink in his bid for yet another state-funded job.

Jim Hanson writes: "Perhaps their most reprehensible act was protests outside the Walter Reed Medical Center where our wounded troops were recuperating. They would gather on Friday nights to coincide with the arrival of the bus carrying our wounded just arrived from overseas. What kind of low human being does it take to attack those injured while fighting for our freedom? A Code Pinko, that’s who."

RALLY for the troops today in Venice CA. Be there. Details at: The Los Angeles Times Pressmens 20 Year Club

Shura We Be In Afghanistan? Andrew Lubin, Tim Hetherington & Sebastian Junger Chime In

Marine Combat Reporter Andrew Lubin recently returned from his ninth or tenth or maybe thirteenth (I lose track) embed as a reporter. Here are photos of Marines engaged in a shura in Helmand Province. From the Female Engagement Teams, to holding meetings with the movers and shakers of the local tribes, they're doing what most civilians here never find out about because a lot of the mainstream media and many bloggers are more engaged with what's not working, or using stats to further a political point of view. The result is a lot of civilians stateside have no idea of the efforts being made. These pictures are part of the Marines collective and individual stories. (More story after the pics, scroll down).

In Nawa

In Gamsir

In Gamsir

Andrew writes: "In both cases, the Battallion Commander was the active and very interested participant, which was fully understood, appreciated, and recognized by the Afghans"

Over on the Restrepo Facebook page, the social networking company engaged to do the tweets, facebook posts asked whether or not we should be in Afghanistan. Out of all the replies, I think the best response comes from Tim & Sebastian:

The soldiers fighting in Afghanistan deserve to have their story told without political spin – which is what we tried to do in our movie, ‘Restrepo.’ It has been incredibly gratifying to hear that these soldiers recognize their experience in our film.

That said, many civilians back home are deeply confused about the war – and this confusion has the potential to undermine the troops themselves. If we can have a conversation on this site where people ask questions, voice opinions and compare experiences, there may be less confusion about the war. Less confusion is good for the public and good for the troops.

The only dangerous idea, we feel, is the assertion that it’s unpatriotic to examine the rationale for the war. As it stands now, US troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan in less than a year. Without understanding the rationale for the war, there is no way for the public to decide whether that date is premature.

This war cannot be won – or even resolved – unless the American public understands it. Please listen respectfully to others on this site and respond to them with the understanding that - at the end of the day - we are all in this together. Thanks.
-Tim & Sebastian

THREE OTHER RESPONSES

Should we be in Afghanistan is a question that deserves to be constantly revisited. It's not unpatriotic to do so, but it's a question best served by looking at an array facts and resisting the quick answer.

1. Sebastian took on this question shortly after his best selling book WAR came out.
2. Andrew Lubin wrote a response coming from the perspective of a seasoned embedded Marine combat reporter.
3. My response is on the Sebastian Junger Community.
   

Donations For Murdered Volunteer Health Care Workers

Cheryl Beckett's Father talks about his murdered daughter.

Read Press Releases From International Assistance Mission

As the chilling details come out about the murder of the ten health care volunteers in Afghanistan last week, one thing that also comes across across loud and clear in the aftermath of is their dedication. This was a team of seasoned professionals, many of whom had given decades to bringing medical and dental care to the people of Afghanistan for thirty years. They were neither wide-eyed naive novices, nor proselytizers. They were compassionate health care professionals passionate about bringing medical care to those in need regardless of the hazards or hardships.

I've been in touch with Paul Roach, Finance Director of the International Assistance Mission in Kabul. IAM has been working there since 1966. They have set up a fund "to help the families of our Afghan colleagues who gave their lives alongside our friends." The names of the deceased men were Mr. Mahram Ali, and Jawad. They were the sole means of support for their families.

Please go to the International Assistance Mission site and make a donation through PayPal. I've taken a screen shot to show you that you can direct your donation to this special fund.
Just type these words in under the project box: "help the families of our Afghan colleagues who gave their lives alongside our friends."

Media director Warrick Gilbert of the IAM has also given us an address to send condolences to the families of the deceased as well as to their associates:

media@iam-afghanistan.org

If you want to send cards, you may send them to:

International Assistance Mission
PO Box 625
Kabul
Afghanistan

Click on the photo to see the names of the deceased.

Four of the six Americans were flown home by the U.S. Military. I'm gathering information to those who want to send condolences or individual donations to the families of the victims. I'll list them in the comments as they come in. The other two, Dr. Tom Little and Dan Terry, are being buried in Afghanistan, where they both gave decades of their lives to creating more humane conditions for the Afghan people. I'm waiting to hear about Daniela Beyer and Dr. Karen Woo.

Continue to look for and create beauty everyday. -K

Finding Beauty

Father and Son, Tybee Island GA, June 2009

The only real goal of this blog has always been to help everyone feel a bit better after reading it.
I don't know if it's quite come out that way, but I think if there's one piece of advice I could give everyone it's this:

Look for beauty everyday.

It might be a fern growing on top of a brick and tabby wall. Or perhaps it's just the way the sky looks on a grey day. Maybe it's someone's smile, or a conversation with the clerk as he bags your groceries. It's also a father and son, walking together through beach dunes just before a deployment. Anyway, look for beauty, or try to create a bit everyday. It's there, usually right in front of you.

Things of beauty and change: reading the joy in Delta Whiskey's blog, as she goes Gluten Free and learns more and more about ingredients and cooking.
Here's a bit of beauty that I found in the grocery store...

The Kindness of Savannahians

This was a really tough week. So to take a well-deserved break, right after we picked up The Hubs from work, we whisked up to Savannah and ate at Corleone's.
Wonderful food. I mean....wonderful.
But even better was the respect and generosity of a fellow diner.
Thank you, kind stranger, for thanking The Hubs for his service. Thank you for the iced teas!
But most of all: Thank you, kind strangers, for your support. You have no idea how much this made our day.

Three Seasoned Professionals Senselessly Murdered

Note: If you've come to criticize or lambaste those murdered for being Christian, go away. I'm just not going to take it over here.

"Let him grieve undistracted, without having to worry about how he looked in mine or anyone else’s eyes. Death is a strange and complete entity. In plain sight of death we contemplate our own mortality and that sensation of loss that is so fucking unfair." --The late British surgeon Karen Woo, writing on her blog about her fiance's need to grieve after losing two friends in a plane crash in Afghanistan. Now, he grieves for her.

Still reeling over the bad news of the volunteer medical team of ten doctors, nurses and other workers who were executed point blank in the Kuran Wa Munjan district of Badakhshan. In a conversation with a friend on the ground after it happened, many think this wasn't exclusively a Taliban hit, rather the work of Jihadi tourists, who come over with no ties to these remote regions to kill infidels. In the Irish Times, Michael Semple gives us a clearer picture, a veritable definition of lawlessness:

"Outsiders have no brothers or cousins to act as a deterrent against violence. Killers of outsiders, even if they are really bandits, can claim moral authority and enhance their reputation as purveyors of violence. Political groups with limited control on the ground can claim responsibility for such extreme acts of violence as a way of trying to project themselves beyond their real limits of influence."

While many have jumped to the conclusion that this was a Christian group carrying bibles translated into Dari, it's been rebuffed by a variety of sources that humanitarian aid groups like this use their faith not to proselytize as has been accused, but as a source of inner strength to carry out good works. Faith in the broadest sense pulls everyone through tough times. Furthermore, groups like the International Assistance Mission accept help from a variety of health care professionals, and they don't make anyone take a Jesus test before signing on.

Killers do not distinguish between non-Christian or Christian groups. In 2004, five workers with Doctors Without Borders were ambushed and killed. This lead to the withdrawal of services from the organization in Afghanistan until 2009.

Those killed weren't novices when it came to the area. Tom Little, an eye surgeon, had given much of his professional career to one of the world's poorest regions. He oversaw three 40-bed hospitals in three larger cities, as well as three 10-bed clinics in remote outposts, under the NOOR (National Organization For Opthmalic Rehabilitation), a project of the International Assistance Mission (IAM). Little's wife also worked with him, however was back in upstate NY at the time of the murders. Their daughter was in a different region of Afghanistan, carrying out humanitarian work as well.

In addition, another of the murdered was Dan Terry. Terry had also given his entire life's work to the region. As the son of the man who founded the International Assistance Mission, Terry lived in the area for 30 years, raising his children there. He was described by Tim Lynch as:

"The Godfather of Free Range International – the man who pioneered the techniques, tactics and procedures we use to travel in remote districts was executed last week in Badakhshan Province. Dan Terry was a good man. He was humble, self-effacing, and competent. He lived in Afghanistan with his family and spoke fluent Dari and Pashto."

Another of those murdered was Dr. Karen Woo, a British physician who had forsaken her practice in the UK to bring medicine to Afghanistan. She was running services for women and children --urgently needed since women there never go to a male physician.

One can't help but be captivated by her voice. She was spirited, soulful, intelligent, a humanitarian, a seasoned surgeon, and fun. She has what we call the "X-Factor" times ten. She was capable funny and irreverent. This is from her last post, where she also does a hilarious knock down of politicians:

"Most of the time I listen to politicians on the TV with an autistic head on, you know the kind of head where you can instantly tell when someone is lying through their teeth or is simply delivering a foil of bullshit, liberally peppered with terms designed to disguise that there is absolutely nothing inside the hot air that they are spouting."

The politicians are sickening, as unlike the three people described here, they do very little in terms of hands-on work. They are given too much time and consideration.
I wish I had known all of them. Karen Woo was to have been married in two weeks time. Her gown was being made. Her fiancee, also in Afghanistan, had the terrible burden of having to identify his beloved's remains.

In all of this, the biggest losers are the Afghan people. As it was with those murdered at Ft. Hood, health care professionals willing to carry out their work in these kinds of condition are a rare breed. It is estimated that 250,000 Afghans were helped by the efforts of Dr. Tom Little. Now, another 250,000 will have to go without.

"In Memoriam
(From the IAM site)

Name Nationality Status

Mahram Ali Afghan Confirmed dead

Cheryl Beckett USA Confirmed dead

Daniela Beyer German Confirmed dead

Brian Carderelli USA Confirmed dead

Jawed Afghan Confirmed dead

Dr Tom Grams USA Confirmed dead

Glen Lapp USA Confirmed dead

Dr Tom Little USA Confirmed dead

Dan Terry USA Confirmed dead

Dr Karen Woo UK Confirmed dead

Thankfully, two of our Afghan eye camp team members survived, Mr. Said Yasin and Safiullah."

Sunday Morning Thoughts: Neither Pawn Nor Victim

It may seem odd to those who read this blog, but there are those on the outside who continuously want to see anyone affiliated with the military as a "victim" or "pawn." Just recently, my husband and I listened to someone whose life dangles in the political left say in passing: "Oh, you're not allowed to have a political opinion."

Anyone who reads military blogs knows those who serve along with their loved ones has plenty of opinions on everything --which includes politics. While he and others like him don't plaster their sentiments on their car bumper, the difference is as CDR Salamander once said on the USNI blog in a very wise post called The Seduction of Powerful Men,

"It isn’t about you. It is about the nation you serve and the service members you lead."

If someone has an opinion on any issue and can break down in specific why something won't work --say, my many articles on health care where I detail how contracting really works between insurer, government and provider, or when Rajiv Srinivasan writes about the need to bring mothers into a more active role of raising their sons in Afghanistan, then this can be very useful for the purposes of clarification. Vigorous debate may ensue, but at least it's based on something substantive rather than wrapping oneself in a cloak, waving a banner, picking up a latte, oblivious to discussion due to the mufflers they've slapped over their ears.

Orange County CA Native, US Army Sgt. Daniel Lim, Laid To Rest

An exceptional slideshow by Michael Goulding, OC Register.
Very nicely reported by Ellen Pak in the OC Register.
Video below by Mark Eades, OC Register.

"Whether it was tattooing the name of his beloved baby sister on his chest or spending his first Army paycheck on his parents, Daniel Lim never hesitated to demonstrate his devotion to his family.

While recently deployed in Afghanistan, Lim, an Army sergeant, stood in line for hours each week to call his parents. He wanted to reassure them that he was OK. That they had nothing to worry about."

"I remember SGT Lim whenever I was having a down day in afghan he would always bring me up. He always put others needs infront of his own. I will never forget him as a friend but mostly as a Leader. R.I.P. Brother"

— SPC Bourque

July 26, 2010 at 10:51 p.m." Los Angeles Times

Is Desire Enough?

One of the advantages in coming to the military later in life, is having the practical experience of being witness to a different but also large system operate under the constant threat of failure. In my case, it was seeing our health care institutions implode. Health care, like the military, has shining moments of excellence undertaken by persons of integrity and character. Yet, desire alone is not enough to overtake goals that seem to be at odds with one another.

Posts like Tim's Getting After It, Ann Marlowe's Peace Later, and Ann Jones' acerbic Here be dragons offer first hand observations about the direction the war in Afghanistan is going. I think it's normal for anyone to ask a few questions especially when we have something ...someone at stake.

Photo From Free Range

We've all read COIN in its many forms, whether straight from the horse's mouth or distilled by others with first hand experience. We're coupling this with having to watch loved ones deploy, along with friends. While it is American to view ourselves as tough but benevolent, we can't help but notice attempts or even thoughts of do-goodery are being met by increased violence. We can't help but see that the long term impact this is having on not only those in the combat zones, but also those on the home front is having.

• In your estimation, is there a disconnect in the chain of command in regards to the implementation of COIN? If so, can it be pinpointed?
  
• Are we too mentally fortified behind gear to actually do the work COIN requires?
• Did anyone else realize that "the Professor" is wearing regular clothes? What do you make of that? (see pic above)
  
• Is it realistic to pair COIN with the real need to kick the shit out of the enemy?
  
• There are USAID projects that are very big...and yet, maybe it's not the big ones (that take a zillion years to accomplish) that make the biggest impact? Are we trying to accomplish the grand scale without taking care of the smaller more tangible things first? (As Tim pointed out, "irrigation, sanitation, and health care.")
• How far reaching is our global view and how we fit in? Read James Carafano's take on "How will it help to leave Afghanistan? "

Answer as you wish. Either here, or on your own blog. Just leave me a link if you do.

Look For Me and My Friends On PBS and A Summer Wrap Up

Daughter and I have been at my husband's geo-bachelor cave for the past month. We go back mid-August so that she can start high school, and also to assist son in his quest for a car as the Volvo died just recently. Son is also enrolling in a welding program on 17 August. Smart kid. School was always a struggle for him, and he never wanted to go to college. Rather than forcing it on him, we know people are best served when encouraged to find "their" niche. And so we waited out his hibernation until he figured out what he wanted to do. Needless to say, the hibernation paid off. He's emerged as a conscientious, thrifty, and polite young man with goals. Knock wood!

This summer I've seen Ft. Belvoir, Ft. Benning, Ft. Campbell, Ft. Stewart and Ft. Bragg. I went 48 years without seeing any, and now two years later I see 5 in less than 30 days. Most of the traveling was due to work. Here's a photo of Leta with Tim Hetherington, one of the filmmakers of the movie Restrepo. Leta's presenting Tim with a throw from a fundraiser for the 2/503 to send the wounded wars back to Vincenza for the big homecoming.

We also made a side trip up what has become known as "the evil I-95" going through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and into DC. I have to say, the traffic in Virginia is ghastly, and according to my good friend Jody it's nothing new. "It was horrible in the 70's, and that's one of the reasons I moved to California," she said.

For the life of me, I cannot imagine why they have allowed this situation to persist. I won't go into it, as I do not live there. But when they say Virginia is for lovers, I can only hope they mean, Virginia is for lovers --but only if you are still speaking after enduring the I-95.

One last note: I'll be blogging for PBS's Regarding War website. They're revamping the whole shaboo, and they've asked me to sign on for this gig that will last a few months. I'm thrilled, and as soon as I get the new URL, I'll let you know. Me? I'm writing as mid-life Army wife, because nothing else would be true. I refuse...refuse to whine, refuse to be anything but me.
And look.... my friends Tim and Rajiv are writing too! How fun! This will be a hoot. I should congratulate this new crew. We're going to have a blast.

"Disconnected:" How long could you go without a computer?

I'm embedding a fun little documentary, because it reminded me of a conversation I had with the head publicist for the movie Restrepo. We were talking about how things used to be done without computers. There were mailing lists --usually 3 column, and along with it labels. We'd peel and put them on envelopes, newsletters, and press releases. We had rolls of stamps, or if you were a real high roller you'd have a machine, or bundle the newsletter and take them to the bulk mail window at the post office.

All of this would be accompanied by a phone call. Obviously, prior to message machines, we'd have to call the person back if they weren't reachable the first time. And so the letter sent via the post, was key. Later, the phone answering machines became a novelty. People would record music on them, and the answering message was knew now bounds of either creativity or decency. FAX machines were considered a sign that someone was really ahead of the time. Don't forget: a lot of people still worked on Selectrics.

Obviously, the computer and the internet has changed everything. Social networking has good and bad sides. The good is an endless supply of knowledge available quickly. The bad is an endless supply of knowledge that doesn't enrich one's life. As much as I like social networking, Facebook isn't a substitute for a day in the garden.

Here's a terrific documentary about 3 college students who decided to go for a month without using computers. Just watching them try to bug other students to use computers for them by proxy, or trying to figure out how to use a typewriter will leave you laughing. By the end, only one is left --the other two wimp out. I'll leave you to figure out which one is the victor and figures out that social networking is just one part of life, but not all of it.

Restrepo: Reaching Beyond The Wire To The Left & The Right

Restrepo continues in theaters across the country. I think it's a pretty fair bet had it not been for the vast military support community, it might not have been picked up by theater owners in smaller communities such as Davenport Iowa, Little Rock Arkansas, or Columbia South Carolina. When doing outreach, we chose the community who would work the hardest for the film. It's wasn't rocket science that it would be the men and women --both veterans and civilians, who on a daily basis send boxes, raise funds, visit soldiers in hospitals and provide a steady stream of reassurance for those of us left back to hold down the fort while our loved ones are in harms way.

Still, as Tim Lynch of Free Range International wrote:

"It is, in my opinion, important that this film be screened in as many theaters in as many states as possible. But most Americans and most people in the countries with troops deployed here do not have one clue about what they collectively have asked their fellow citizens to do, not a clue. The amount of responsibility placed on the shoulders of 21, 22 or sometimes younger men who lead fireteams, squads, and platoons exceeds by several orders of magnitude, that placed on their peers in the civilian world."

Our next directive came from the filmmakers themselves. Now that we had the bedrock audience, it was time to reach out to the mall walkers, the shoppers, those people who have nary a thought about service, or even those who give plenty of lip service about supporting the troops, but don't put that extra 10% into really comprehending the long term needs those serving will require (think politicians who routinely cut veterans benefits). And yes, to those on the left. In other words, reach beyond the wire.

I don't think any of us were at all phased by their request. In some way, each of us serves as an ambassador to the non-military world. Restrepo has led to some high spirited discussions. But still, even though Restrepo sidesteps the politics, an individuals' will seep in during discussions. Restrepo has been faulted for overlooking the politics of the men, and of not being an exposé. In a particularly stupid review, Sebastian Junger was accused of being a pretty boy for the pro-war movement. Both filmmakers were accused of having slim knowledge of wars (not true, they've been at this since Kosovo and their combat reporting rivals, even trumps most others). These are just a few who want Restrepo to be something that it is not. It's like saying To Kill A Mockingbird would have been better if Atticus had ignored the false allegations of rape, and had just confined himself to shooting rabid dogs and looking honorable.

Still, it isn't easy. After on particularly bruising discussion, one of the soldiers wrote to me: "I don't know which is worse --the far left or the far right." Sebastian even wrote an article on the Daily Beast detailing his own experiences called The Left and Right Are Wrong About My Movie.

The truth is, we walk a tightrope between both sides regardless of our own political opinion. But the people we come to rely on and trust are those who support us. The box packers, fund raisers, letter writers, patriot guards, quilters, yoga-doers, knitters, and veterans benefits proponents. If anyone wants to help, I'm always ready with an empty box, a roll of tape, and a mailing label for things they want to send. I try not to shove my political views in their face, and I don't solicit theirs. If I chose to work only with those who agreed with me on everything, I'd be alone in a room. But when the heel hits the pavement, actions always speak more than words.